Big Bend & Fla. news briefs

The FBI's Jacksonville Division, which oversees the FBI in north and central Florida, has a new special agent in charge. FBI Director Robert Mueller recently named Michael B. Steinbach to the post. He succeeds James Casey, who retired at the end of February. Steinbach, who began his FBI career in 1995 as a special agent in Chicago, most recently served as special assistant to associate deputy director Thomas Harrington at FBI Headquarters. In 2003, he was named supervisor in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI headquarters and in 2004 was awarded the FBI's Shield of Bravery in 2004 after he was deployed to Afghanistan to serve as deputy on-scene commander for FBI operations. His previous posts include legal attache to Tel Aviv, Israel, supervisor of the Violent Crimes Task Force at the FBI Washington Field Office and acting section chief of the Terrorism Operations Section. The Jacksonville Division encompasses 40 counties in central and north Florida, including Leon.

• TALLAHASSEE

Woman arrested onattempted murder

Shakira Rivers, 28, was arrested Sunday on charges of premeditated attempted murder. The probable cause affidavit for her arrest says she went to the BP gas station on the 1100 block of Orange Avenue to meet James Smith who she knew. She admitted to police that she had stabbed him saying that he had been threatening her and her family and was in fear for her life. Smith told police Rivers approached him and started the argument that led to the stabbing. Witnesses agreed with his statement. Judge Augustus Aikens set Rivers' bail at $25,000.

Big Bend Hospice holds Mother'sDay service

A Mother's Day Remembrance Service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. The service will feature music, reflection, and an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a mother. Attendees are invited to bring a photo of their loved one to display during the service. For more information, call Pam Mezzina at 878-5310, ex. 799.

Iconography class set for May 21

A retreat and workshop with the North Florida Iconography Institute is scheduled for May 21-30 at the St. John Neumann Renewal Center, 685 Miccosukee Road. Participants will learn the Russian and Byzantine tradition of egg tempera and will receive an assortment of dry pigments, an icon board and gold leaf gilding. Cost is $1,070 and includes a private room, meals, supplies and instruction. A deposit of $150 is required. For details, call 224-2971.

Walk the labyrinth on Saturday

International Labyrinth Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the labyrinth at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 3413 Old Bainbridge Road. The event includes short workshops and participation in the worldwide "Walk of One at 1:00." For details, visit www.stfrancis-tlh.org.

New Hope hostsa revival

"Light up the City Revival" is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. now through Wednesday at New Hope International Outreach Ministries, 3426 Crawfordville Road. Bishop John E. Baker and Elder Ann-Marie Baker will be the hosts. Guest speakers include Pastor Carlton Trout and other ministers from London, England. For details, visit newhopeiom.com.

• ORLANDO

Wildlife officers tranquilize bear in backyard

Wildlife officers were called to tranquilize a young male bear in an Orlando neighborhood.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist David Turner says it's usually best to wait for bears to leave backyards on their own. But with so many residents around Sunday in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, wildlife officers thought it was best to tranquilize the bear and take it to the Ocala National Forest.

Biologists estimated that the American black bear was two to three years old and weighed about 250 pounds.

Turner that he was surprised to see a bear wander so deep into Orlando's urban core.

• JACKSONVILLE

Teen dies afterjumping from school bus

Officials say a Jacksonville high school student who jumped from a moving bus last week has died.

An accident report says the bus was traveling over an Intracoastal bridge Friday morning when Herr opened the rear emergency door and jumped. He tumbled to the roadway and struck the back of his head. He was unresponsive as he was flown to the hospital.

Thirteen students were on the bus at the time on the incident.

Herr's mother says he was a 10th-grade student assigned to Grand Park Center alternative school. She says she's not sure why he jumped, but she said he had been bullied on the bus in past.

• SPRING HILL

Jail guard charged with pepper-spraying girl

An off-duty Pasco County jail guard was arrested after authorities say he used pepper spray to discipline a 17-year-old girl.

The sheriff's office reports that 42-year-old Michael Wayne Robart told deputies Sunday that he used the pepper spray because the girl was being disrespectful to him and his wife. Officials didn't identify the teen or say how she knew Robarts.

Robarts was arrested and charged with one count of child abuse. He was later released on $5,000 bail.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Robarts was suspended from his job without pay pending an internal review.

— Democrat staff and

wire reports

ADVERTISEMENT

Liked on Facebook

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Big Bend & Fla. news briefs

• BIG BENDFBI names new agent for areaThe FBI's Jacksonville Division, which oversees the FBI in north and central Florida, has a new special agent in charge. FBI Director Robert Mueller